Pisces V finds new species in Hawaii National Monument

This story entered on 14th Dec, 2007 11:52:12 AM PST

Researchers have discovered what they believe are a new deep-water coral and sponge several thousand feet below the ocean surface.

The lemon-yellow bamboo coral tree and a giant sponge were discovered last month in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument by the Pisces V submersible operated by NOAA’s Undersea Research Program’s Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL).

Samples of the corals and sponges were collected for taxonomic identification and DNA analysis. They were found in depths of 3,000 to 6,000 feet.

Researchers returned from their 22-day expedition on Nov. 19. HURL was established by NOAA and the University of Hawaii to study deep-water marine processes in the Pacific Ocean.

Contact information
Name: John Wiltshire
Tel: (808) 956-6802
johnw@soest.hawaii.edu